Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2009-10: John Gibson played for the U.S. NTDP program, splitting his time between the U-17 team and the NTDP team competing in the USHL. In 22 games for the U-17 team, Gibson compiled a 3.76 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage. In 18 games in the USHL, Gibson ended up with a 3.69 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage, and a 7-9-0 record. Gibson played for the USA’s gold medal team at the 2010 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he posted the best goals-against average (1.33) and best save percentage (.957) of the tournament.

2010-11: Gibson played for the U.S. NTDP competing in the USHL, compiling a 2.38 goals-against average, a .926 save percentage, and a 9-4-3 record. Gibson played for the USA’s gold medal squad at the 2011 U-18 World Junior Championship, posting a 2.34 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage in 6 games. He was named the Best Goaltender of the tournament. Gibson has committed to the University of Michigan.

2011-12: Gibson had an impressive first training camp with Anaheim and had a strong rookie season in his first OHL season with the Kitchener Rangers. Splitting time with OHL veteran Frank Palazzese during the regular season, he was 21-10 with 1 shutout and had a 2.75 goals against and .928 save percentage. After finishing second in the Midwest Division, Kitchener reached the OHL semifinals with Gibson handling the bulk of the goaltending. He was 8-7 with 1 shutout and 1 loss in overtime in 16 playoff games and had a 2.67 goals against and .938 save percentage. Gibson appeared in one game as a back up to Jack Campbell for Team USA in the 2012 U20 World Junior Championship. He made his lone start against Finland, stopping 23 of 27 shots in a 4-1 loss. The USA finished seventh in the tournament. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Anaheim in March 2012.

2012-13: Gibson had a memorable season as a 19-year–old despite hip and groin injuries that limited him to 27 games during the OHL season. He won a gold medal playing for the USA U20 team at the 2013 World Junior Championship and capped the season winning a bronze medal at the 2013 IIHF World Championship in Sweden. Gibson made his pro hockey debut – appearing in one AHL game with Norfolk following the OHL playoffs: allowing 3 goals on 21 shots in 40 minutes of action with the Admirals. Gibson was 17-9-1 with 1 shutout for Kitchener and had a 2.41 goals against and .928 save percentage. He played in ten OHL playoff games and was 5-5 with 1 shutout; posting a 2.17 goals against and .946 save percentage. Gibson was 5-2 in seven games at the WJC and had a 1.36 goals against and .955 save percentage. He was 3-1 in five games at the World Championship and had a 1.56 goals against and .951 save percentage; stopping 36 of 38 shots in the USA’s 3-2 win over Finland in the bronze medal game.

2013-14: Gibson made his NHL debut on April 7th — recording 18 saves in a 3-0 shutout of Vancouver — and played seven games for the Ducks after being the top goalie for Anaheim AHL affiliate Norfolk. He was 3-0 with a 1.33 goals against and .954 save percentage in three regular season games and played in four NHL playoff games. He was was 2-2 with 1 shutout, posting a 2.70 goals against and .919 save percentage as the Ducks reached the second round. Gibson played in 45 regular season games for Norfolk and was 21-17-4 with five shutouts. He had a 2.34 goals against and .919 save percentage. The Admirals finished third in the East Division and reached the second round in the playoffs. Gibson started six playoff games and was 4-2 with one shutout and had a 1.45 goals against and .955 save percentage.

Talent Analysis

Gibson is a mature goalie who displayed physical coordination and mental toughness at a young age. While he is not a dazzling athlete he has shown little if any major weaknesses in his game. Gibson is a complete goaltender and has been the USA's goalie at the junior level and was with Team USA during the Sochi Olympic orientation camp. He has a calm and collected nature in high pressure situations.

Future

Gibson was the opening night starter for the Ducks and was expected to split the goaltending duties with Frederik Andersen in the 2014-15 season. He was 2-2 in four games before suffering a groin injury. With Anaheim signing veteran Ilya Bryzgalov he may spend the rest of the season in the AHL with Norfolk. Long-term, Gibson and Andersen are expected to eventually be the Anaheim goaltending tandem for the foreseeable future.

Photo: Ducks prospect Nick Ritchie is just under a point-per-game in his OHL career. (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

As a new face emerges as the number one overall prospect with the Ducks, it is hard not to notice the strong group of defensemen and wingers Anaheim currently boasts. A staggering 17 of the 20 listed players on the spring list play either wing or defense. If the goal is to build from the back out, the Ducks have a blossoming mixture of talented defensemen and one of the best young goaltenders in the world to achieve that goal. Up front they also have a nice blend of size, skill, and speed to complement their NHL center depth. While the logjam may end up hurting some of these players’ chances, it currently is a big boost to the organization in terms of depth and quality.